Thunderbirds swat Bees, blast 83 shots on net

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.- The Carolina Thunderbirds, proud members of the Federal Prospects Hockey League and 2019 Commissioner’s Cup champions, took down the Battle Creek Rumble Bees on Saturday night 4-0.


“We dominated the game,” said head coach Andre Niec, “we controlled play and I think we set the shots on goal record again and we won, it was much better.”


Carolina outshot Battle Creek 83-12 in the game.


Daniel Martin opened the scoring on a wrist-shot in front 10:05 in the period.


Five minutes later, the Thunderbirds added another as Daniel Klinecky notched his seventh of the season. Jay Kenney and Joe Cangelosi assisted on the goal.


Frankie McClendon was superb in net for the Thunderbirds, turning away all twelve shots he faced.


“I’m happy for Frankie. It’s tough to do that with so little work, but the shutout is what counts and he got one tonight,” said Niec.


Jiri Pargac would deflect Nathan Campbell’s shot in for Carolina’s second powerplay goal of the night in the second period. It’s Pargac’s fifth goal of the year.

The third period saw Jake Mullen did yeoman’s work stopping a record 79 shots through the game.


“He was so good tonight,” said Niec, “we easily could have had 12 or 15 goals, but he was a difference maker.”


Jay Kenney scored his first goal of the season with under five minutes to go in the game. With his goal, every Thunderbird to dress this season has scored a goal.


With the win, Carolina advances to 19-1-0-1 on the season and will face Columbus on Tuesday looking for their 20th win.


Battle Creek falls to the worst winless streak in North American hockey history, now standing at 0-24-0-0.